Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta), this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $45Kolkata (Calcutta) $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $45, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $23Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $46Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Delhi Hotel Prices and Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $5.28Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
-
Taxi to Airport$1.91
-
Subway$0.38
-
Uber Cab$0.96
-
Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.79
-
Auto-rickshaw$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Taj Mahal Sunrise All Inclusive Tour with Transfers : $7.00
- Private Guided Delhi Shopping Tour with Transfers: $8.45
- Private transfers to/from Indira Gandhi International Airport: $10
- New Delhi Airport to Hotel Transfer Private Shuttle Sedan & SUV: $11
- Private Transfer Delhi Hotels To Delhi International Airport DEL Drop: $12
- Private Taj Mahal Guided Day Trip from Delhi with Transfers: $14
- Qutub Minar Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $15
- Delhi - Private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $15
- Delhi hotel to Delhi Airport transfer: $15
- Humayun's Tomb Skip-the-Line E-tickets & guide Delhi transfers: $18
- Delhi - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Delhi Airport to Hotel: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) and Delhi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayDelhi $12Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
-
McDonalds$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Old Delhi Food Tour Extravaganza!: $30
- Food Tour Old Delhi: $31
- Cooking Demo + Lunch/Dinner and interaction with an Indian family @ Chez Anjali: $35
- Old Delhi Food Tour: A Night Time Feast: $36
- Evening Food Tour: $40
- Discover Old 4-Hour Evening Walking Tour includes Guide & Dinner: $40
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $44
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $45
- Chandni Chowk Old Delhi Food Tour with Spice Market: $45
- Culinary Delights Of Delhi Half Day Food Tour: $48
- Veg and Non veg : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Dinner Cruise on Ganges Kolkata 3Hrs: $59
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $13Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour From Delhi: $4.00
- Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi : $5.00
- Private Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car: $5.00
- Skip-The-Line Sunrise Taj Mahal Private Tour with Multi-Options: $5.00
- Private One Day Taj Mahal Tour by Car: $5.00
- Private Luxury Old & New Delhi City Tour In 8 Hours: $5.00
- Private Old and New Delhi - Best of Delhi 8 Hours Tour: $5.00
- Private Tour To Taj Mahal From Delhi By Car: $5.00
- 3-Days Private Golden Triangle Tour to Agra & Jaipur from Delhi: $5.00
- Private Sunrise Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi by Car-All Inclusive: $5.00
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Tour from Delhi with 5* Lunch: $5.00
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour by Car - All Inclusive: $5.00
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Kolkata (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Colonial Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $20
- Kolkata Half Day Guided City Tour: $27
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour : $28
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $37
- Magic Hour Tour: $37
- Kolkata Slum Walking Tour: $41
- Kolkata Daily - A Private Tour - Explore • Engage • Enchant: $55
- Kolkata Heritage Tram Tour: $60
- Private Calcutta Tour: $61
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $8.67Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27
Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Delhi is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Delhi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Delhi than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delhi Expensive? and Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kolkata (Calcutta). When comparing the sizes of Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta), keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.